5.1 IT Architecture

SORS is a user-oriented organisation which is organised with an emphasis on processes and the quality and protection of data provided by reporting units. Information technology (IT) must follow the mission, vision and values of SORS, and provide for the efficient, professional and economic execution of SORS's mission and tasks.

Key goals for the realisation of the tasks set forth are:1. well computerised and efficient statistical process, supported by general user-friendly information solutions,2. efficient and satisfied internal and external users of information services,3. competent IT experts,4. electronic storage and archiving.

Computerised and efficient statistical processThis will be achieved by developing and introducing general information to support the statistical process, which enables more transparent and efficient statistical processes and long-term savings in the maintenance of these solutions.Such an approach brings new challenges from the aspect of development and introduction. Planning, development, testing and the introduction of general information systems require the use of better defined and adequately supported methodology in terms of organisation. The IT unit will start introducing established standards and development methodologies which cover the entire life-cycle of the application software (CMMI). The next important activity is improving organisation within the IT by introducing process organisation of development activities, which will enable IT experts to specialize in individual expert areas and be independent from the statistical content in their work. This will lead to a more transparent process in the development of information systems, a higher concentration of IT knowledge, and easier and more efficient allocation of human resources.

Consolidation and standardisation of softwareSORS has consolidated its development environments in recent years and will standardise them considering individual statistical processes. Besides a long-term focusing on relational technology of Oracle databases (and in certain areas of Microsoft SQL Server) SORS has chosen NET as an application development environment, SAS as the environment for processing and analyses, and tools developed in statistical offices (Blaise, PC-Axis, Argus, etc.) for specific statistical areas (collection and arrangement of data, dissemination, protection, etc.). The use of commercial and statistical tools wherever possible and the development of our own application solutions only where they are necessary for the smooth functioning of the statistical process remains a constant guideline. The main challenge will therefore be to integrate individual technological solutions into an integrated system, which will be achieved with the improvement of interoperability between individual systems and the introduction of the principles of service oriented architecture.A very important activity will be finalising the transfer of processing and data into a LAN server environment, with which SORS will conclude the use of its IBM central computer, and will also transfer data and processing performed on working stations. Due to the increasing importance of XML technology in the area of statistical data and metadata, SORS will start developing and introducing SDMX technological solutions.

The first step in this direction is the introduction of ITIL guidelines, which is a long-term process of constant improvement, which will enable SORS employees and external users to work smoothly and efficiently. In terms of organisation, this will bring the establishment of a modern service centre and adequate process organisation in the area of IT services.

Shared servers and dedicated ISIS servers

Main SW

Operational system

Oracle 10.2.0.3 EE

Windows 2003, SP2, 64 bit

MS IIS 6.0, .NET FW 3.0

Windows 2003, SP2, 64 bit

BizTalk Server 2006, MS IIS 6.0, MS SQL Server 2005

Windows 2003, SP2, 64 bit

MS IIS 6.0, .NET FW 3.0, Blaise 4.8.

Windows 2003, SP2, 64 bit

SharePoint Server 2007, MS IIS 6.0., SQL Server 2005

Windows 2003, SP2, 64 bit

MS Analysis Services 2005, MS SQL Server 2005

Blaise 4.8.

SAS 9.2.

Figure 6: ISIS system architecture

5.2 Metadata Management Tools

no special tools are used

5.3 Standards and formats

not elaborated

5.4 Version control and revisions

Different rules.

5.5 Outsourcing versus in-house development

Due to constant challenges in updating information systems in SORS, which challenge the personnel potentials and knowledge of the internal IT staff, SORS will continue to efficiently use both internal and external human resources. In doing so, SORS will focus on the internal management of the statistical core business and will outsource when this is cost-efficient and/or presents an opportunity to expand internal know-how, and not as the provider of all development activities in individual areas (complete outsourcing).